Description: NEW DISPLAYS for 2011! A Winter Wonderland filled with snowglobes! Festive fish, jumping dolphins, frolicking porpoises – all in bright, colored lights against the clear night-time sky, are the stars of McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach, a nautical and holiday-themed light display at the Virginia Beach oceanfront! They are joined by Santa, elves, and a 40-foot tall Christmas tree erected on the beach and in the beautiful parks along the Virginia Beach boardwalk.

It’s the only time of the year that cars get to drive right on the boardwalk – for over 30 blocks! 30,000 vehicles a year make the trek through this holiday wonderland. This “Fanta-Sea” of lights is sure to dazzle and amaze holiday travelers visiting Virginia Beach. Hotels create special packages that include free tickets to the light show. New displays are added each year so it’s never the same show twice! One of the highlights is the giant “12 Days of Christmas” display, where some fixtures stand 20 and 30 feet high!

A free CD of holiday music is provided to each vehicle entering McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach, making it easy to see AND hear why this event has been named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s “Top 20 November Events” and the American Bus Association’s “Top 100 Events in North America for 2011!”

Wednesday, November 16: Walk Through the Lights to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk which provides a “home away from home” for families with critically ill children. Sign Language Interpretation provided by Mindy Brown.

Pricing: CASH ONLY at gate!

Sunday-Thursday ($10)

Friday-Saturday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day ($15)

Combo Ticket ($20) LIMITED number of tickets available!!!

Limo ($20)

Motorcoach ($45)

Mini Bus ($25)

*Motorcoaches may pay in advance through Lyndsey at the Beachevents office (757) 425-3111 All other payments to be made at the gate.

WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!! 20% off for ACTIVE military November 21 and 28. December 5 and 12.

Description: Officially ushering in the holiday season in Virginia Beach, the Holiday Parade at the Beach affords local businesses, schools, and organizations the opportunity to support the community and celebrate the season with thousands of parade-goers.

Giant balloons, marching bands, lighted floats, equestrian units, fire trucks, performing dance groups, motorcycles, and more join forces to present a dazzling and entertaining night of fun for all ages! And best of all, Santa himself makes a grand appearance to greet all his loyal fans as the evening winds down and many families take the opportunity to also visit the amazing Holiday Lights at the Beach! The Holiday Parade at the Beach begins at 5:30pm, and travels North on Atlantic Avenue from 15th to 25th Street.

Event: Old Beach Art Market

Dates: November 19 and December 17, 2011

Location: Resort Area, Corner of 21st and Cypress Avenue

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Description: Are you an art enthusiast? Then Virginia Beach is the destination for you! The Old Beach Art Market began with the goal of promoting local artists and galleries, establishing an outdoor art market for Virginia Beach visitors and residents, and fostering art appreciation through demonstrations and programs.

Event: Old Beach Green Market

Dates: November 19 and December 17, 2011

Location: 1909 Cypress Avenue, Virginia Beach

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Description: Green yourself at the Old Beach Green Market, an outdoor market of local vendors offering eco-friendly products and information. Located between the Old Beach Farmers Market and the Old Beach Art Market on Cypress Avenue, this market offers reusable, repurposed, recycled, upcycled and responsibly made items

Description: A seven-time Grammy Award-winner, Gladys Knight began her illustrious career as the lead vocalist of Gladys Knight & The Pips, with whom she recorded such hits as “Every Beat of My Heart,” “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” “If I Were Your Woman,” “Best Thing to Ever Happen to Me,” and the #1 smash “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Since then, she has gone on to record more than 38 albums, scoring #1 hits in pop, R&B and Adult Contemporary music. Knight has performed in front of sold-out audiences across the world, most recently ending a critically-acclaimed four-year run performing nightly at the famed Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Since ending the four year run, she began performing at the world-renowned Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas in the newly renamed Gladys Knight Theater.

Description: “Mom! Phineas and Ferb are going on a LIVE tour!!!” Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! Phineas, Ferb, and the whole tri-state area gang embark on a bold escape jumping out from behind your TV and onto the stage in a live action adventure – right in your hometown! And, before you can wonder, “Hey, where’s Perry?” the beloved pet platypus shifts to his secret double life as Agent P to foil another one of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s evil plans. Musical madness abounds in an escapade so awesome that even Candace can’t help but join the hilarious hijinks. It’s the ultimate end to summer vacation, so seize the day ‘cause Phineas and Ferb are gonna do it all!

Event: Ricky Skaggs

Date: November 18, 2011

Location: Sandler Center for the Arts, Virginia Beach

Phone: (757) 385 – 2787

Opens: 8:00 PM
Closes: 10:00 PM

Price: $35 – $70

Description: Fourteen-time GRAMMY Award-winner Ricky Skaggs’ career is easily among the most significant in recent country music history. If Skaggs’ burgeoning trophy case full of awards wasn’t already enough evidence of that fact, consider that legendary guitarist Chet Atkins once credited Skaggs with “single-handedly saving country music.” 2011 marks the 52nd year since Ricky struck his first chords on a mandolin, and he continues to do his part to lead the recent roots revival in music. Clearly his passion for it puts him in the position to bring his lively, distinctively American form of music out of isolation and into the ears and hearts of audiences across the country and around the world. Ricky Skaggs is always forging ahead with cross-cultural, genre-bending musical ideas and inspirations.

Event: Christmas Town at Busch Gardens

Dates: November 26 – December 18 (Fri, Sat, Sun); December 29 – December 31 (7 days a week)

Location: Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Phone: (800) 772 – 8886 (757) 253 – 3350

Description: Enjoy attractions, shows, rides, shopping, and dining at Christmas Town, A Busch Gardens Celebration. Bring the whole family to get in the holiday spirit!

Event: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station

Date: November 26, 2011

Location: Sandler Center for the Arts

Phone: (757) 636 – 2333

Opens: 7:00 PM
Closes: 11:00 PM

Admission Fee

Event: Founders Illumination 20th Anniversary

Date: November 27, 2011

Location: Founders inn & Spa

Phone: (757) 424 – 5511

Opens: 12:00 PM

Event: Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination

Date: December 4, 2011

Location: Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA

Hours: 5:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Description: In the 18th century, illuminations were sometimes held to commemorate the birth of the reigning sovereign. Today we hold a Grand Illumination in the Historic Area. Musical performances from multiple stages and firework displays from three different locations within the Historic Area make this event one that is not to be missed! Start your holiday season off with a pleasant memory of a present experience in the past.

I just received the results of the post-event survey regarding the “Hotel Sales: Improving Lead Generation Through Search” event on September 28 and I can tell you that I am humbled. The responses were overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to everyone who attended the event and answered the brief survey. I want to share with you a few of the highlights.

How new was the information presented?

Extremely new 60%

Very new 20%

Moderately new 20%

The information was…

Understandable and actionable 80%

Understandable but not actionable 20%

How useful to your company was the information presented?

Very useful 60%

Moderately useful 40%

Overall satisfaction with the event…

Extremely satisfied 80%

Moderately satisfied 20%

I am very proud of the Board of Directors for bringing high quality and valuable programs such as this one to the chapter and their peers. There are more events coming up soon, visit HSMAIVA.com for a complete calendar of events, and your input is most appreciated in developing the content for them. Please answer the brief poll below so that the chapter can continue to provide you with the tools you need to be more successful.